Fairfax University of America

Fairfax University of America (FXUA)
Type	Private university
Established	1998; 26 years ago
Accreditation	The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
President	Ahmed Alwani
Students	17 (2021–22)
Location	Fairfax, Virginia, United States; 38°50′59″N 77°20′52″W / 38.8496°N 77.3478°W
Colours	Red and blue
Mascot	Tiger
Website	www.fxua.edu

Fairfax University of America (FXUA, formerly Virginia International University) is a private university in Fairfax, Virginia. It was established in 1998, and then as a non-profit 501(c)(3) university in 1999.^[1] The university is certified to operate in Virginia by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV)^{[citation needed]} and was formerly accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). However, in 2016 the United States Secretary of Education denied ACICS's accrediting status for failing to meet 21 recognition criteria.^[2]

Accreditation and certification

ACICS came under heavy scrutiny by regulators for its lax accreditation standards and failure to flag deficient programs at several institutions, including Fairfax University, which was "blasted [for] the quality and rigor of its online education program" by state regulators in 2019 and nearly closed down.^[3]

History

The university's website states that the institution was founded in 1998 as Virginia International University. In 1999, the university was incorporated as a non-profit corporation and obtained 501(c)3 non-profit status.^[4] The first commencement was held on May 4, 2006, with 20 graduates in attendance.^[4]

In March 2019, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia threatened to revoke VIU's license to operate in the Commonwealth of Virginia after a 2018 audit found defects in the academic rigor and quality of VIU's online courses, run under Alwani's predecessor, publishing a report that Inside Higher Ed called "scathing".^[5]^[6] The audit cited several concerns including widespread instances of plagiarism and its admissions policy that allowed international students who demonstrated "abysmally poor" English language skills to attend the university.^[7] Although the audit was focused on the schools online courses, auditors suggested that the issues likely impacted face-to-face classes as well, noting that online courses and in-person courses shared common teaching faculty, while the English proficiency issues were common among students attending in-person classes.^[7]

In June 2019, the State Council reached an agreement with VIU to allow the college to continue operating on the condition that they pause its distance education for at least three years.^[8]

The university's name changed to Fairfax University of America (FXUA) on January 1, 2020.^[4]

On December 13, 2021, the State Council completed their audit, finding FXUA to be in full compliance of SCHEV regulations, permitting FXUA to immediately begin offering distance education again.^[9]

Academics

The university's academic units are organized into two schools: the School of Business and the School of Computer Information Systems.^[1] In Fall 2021 there were 5 full-time instructional faculty and 13 part-time instructional faculty.^[10]

New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy

Fairfax University of America operated a research institute, founded in 2019, the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy, a foreign policy think tank operating out of Washington, D.C.^[11] New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy and New Lines magazine, edited by Hassan Hassan and focusing on the Middle East now operate as independent entities from FXUA.^[12]^{[verification needed]} New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy is licensed in Washington, D.C. as of 2022.

Student life

17 (8 undergraduate) students were enrolled at the university as of 2022.^[13]

References

^ ^a ^b "FXUA Academic Catalog 2021 - 2022 Academic Year, Second Edition" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-12-22. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
^ "Delta Tech discontinues efforts to seek accreditation, students will lose federal aid". kplctv.com. Archived from the original on 2018-02-28. Retrieved 2020-01-03.
^ Douglas-Gabriel, Danielle (2 June 2021). "Education Dept. drops embattled for-profit college accreditor". Washington Post. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c "University Timeline". Fairfax University of America. Retrieved 2020-02-10.
^ Douglas-Gabriel, Danielle (5 March 2021). "Federal advisory board votes to drop controversial for-profit college accreditor". The Washington Post.
^ McKenzie, Lindsay (8 March 2021). "Controversial accreditor ACICS's federal recognition likely to be revoked again". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
^ ^a ^b Redden, Elizabetn (March 20, 2019). "Virginia Regulators Move to Shut Down University". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
^ Redden, Elizabeth (June 18, 2019). "Agreement Allows Virginia International to Continue Operating". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
^ "SCHEV FXUA Consent Agreement Confirmation" (PDF).
^ "Fairfax University of America". College Navigator. US Department of Education. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
^ "New Lines Institute - About".
^ "About & Staff". New Lines Magazine. 2021-02-17. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
^ "College Navigator Institutional Overview". College Navigator. US Department of Education. Retrieved 3 August 2022.

[:7-1] "FXUA Academic Catalog 2021 - 2022 Academic Year, Second Edition" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-12-22. Retrieved 2021-12-22.

[2] "Delta Tech discontinues efforts to seek accreditation, students will lose federal aid". kplctv.com. Archived from the original on 2018-02-28. Retrieved 2020-01-03.

[WaPo621-3] Douglas-Gabriel, Danielle (2 June 2021). "Education Dept. drops embattled for-profit college accreditor". Washington Post. Retrieved 23 March 2022.

[:6-4] "University Timeline". Fairfax University of America. Retrieved 2020-02-10.

[5] Douglas-Gabriel, Danielle (5 March 2021). "Federal advisory board votes to drop controversial for-profit college accreditor". The Washington Post.

[IHE321-6] McKenzie, Lindsay (8 March 2021). "Controversial accreditor ACICS's federal recognition likely to be revoked again". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved 23 March 2022.

[:5-7] Redden, Elizabetn (March 20, 2019). "Virginia Regulators Move to Shut Down University". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved March 7, 2020.

[8] Redden, Elizabeth (June 18, 2019). "Agreement Allows Virginia International to Continue Operating". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved March 7, 2020.

[9] "SCHEV FXUA Consent Agreement Confirmation" (PDF).

[10] "Fairfax University of America". College Navigator. US Department of Education. Retrieved 18 June 2019.

[11] "New Lines Institute - About".

[New_Lines_Magazine_2021-12] "About & Staff". New Lines Magazine. 2021-02-17. Retrieved 2021-04-20.

[13] "College Navigator Institutional Overview". College Navigator. US Department of Education. Retrieved 3 August 2022.

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v t e Colleges and universities in Virginia
Public	Christopher Newport University College of William & Mary Eastern Virginia Medical School George Mason University James Madison University Joint Forces Staff College Longwood University Marine Corps University Norfolk State University Old Dominion University Radford University Richard Bland College University of Mary Washington University of Virginia University of Virginia's College at Wise Virginia Commonwealth University VCU School of Dentistry VCU School of Education VCU College of Health Professions Virginia Community College System Virginia Military Institute Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University VT-WFU School Biomedical Engineering & Sciences Virginia State University Virginia–Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
Private	Appalachian College of Pharmacy Appalachian School of Law Art Institute of Virginia Beach Atlantic University Averett University Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond Bluefield University Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing Bridgewater College Christendom College DeVry University Divine Mercy University Institute for the Psychological Sciences Eastern Mennonite University ECPI University Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Emory and Henry University Fairfax University of America Ferrum College George Washington University Virginia Campus Hampden–Sydney College Hampton University Hartland College Hollins University Jefferson College of Health Sciences John Leland Center for Theological Studies Liberty University University of Lynchburg Mary Baldwin University Marymount University Patrick Henry College Randolph College Randolph–Macon College Regent University Roanoke College Shenandoah University Southern Virginia University Sweet Briar College Union Presbyterian Seminary University of Management and Technology University of the Potomac University of Richmond Virginia Theological Seminary Virginia Union University Virginia University of Lynchburg Virginia Wesleyan University Washington and Lee University
Defunct	Art Institute of Washington Blackstone College for Girls Cordoba University Eastern College Elizabeth College Fauquier Institute Frederick College Gibbs College Marion College Richmond Professional Institute Saint Paul's College Stratford University Sullins College University of Northern Virginia Virginia Intermont College Westwood College
Complete list